Feeding and presser mechanisms for sewing machines



July 13, '1948.

F. F. zEu-:R

FEEDING ANP PRESSER MECHANISMS FOR 'SEWING MACHINESA Filed April 2, 19465 Sheets-Sheet 1 3| um REBER/CKE Zum July 13, 19348.

F. F. :ZEI ER FEEDING AND PRESSER MECHANISMS FOR SEWING MACHINES FiledApril 2; 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 7a Ma F. F. ZEIER July 13, 194s.

FEEDING AND PRESSER MECHANISMS FOR SEWING MACHINES Filed April 2, 1946 5Sheets-Sheet 3 HEUER/cnf' ZE/ER July 13, 1948'.

FEEDING AND PREssER nEcHANIsMs Foa SEWING MACHINES 5 Shets-v-Sheet 4-Fled April 2, 1946 JHLuU/WM EIDER/CHF Zf/m July 13, 1948, y v F. F.zElER 2,445,297 'FEEDING AND PRE'ssR MEcHANIsMs Fox SEWING MACHINES 5sheets-sheet s Filedv April 2, 1946 Patented July 13, 1948 FEDING ANDPRESSER MECHANISMS FOR SEWING MACHINES Frederick F. Zeier, Stratiield,Conn., assignor to The Singer Manufacturing Company, Elizabeth, N. J., acorporation of New Jersey Application vApril 2, 1946, Serial No. 658,963

23 Claims. (Cl. 112-'212) This invention relates to sewing machinesand,more particularly, to that class of sewing machine which utilizes aclamp-feed mechanism in conjunction with a presser-foot of the typewhich is continuously in engagement with the work during the sewingoperation.

It is an object of this invention to provide, in a machine of this type,improved means for lifting simultaneously the upper feeding foot and thepresser-foot off the Work with a minimum of force.

Another object of this invention is to provide, in the present classmachine, improved feeding and presser-foot lifting mechanism which willenable operation of the machine at a much higher rate of speed thanheretofore was possible.

Withl the above and other objectsY in view, as will hereinafter appear,the invention comprises the devices, combinations, and arrangements ofparts hereinafter set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawingsof a preferred embodiment of the invention, from which the severalfeatures of the invention and the advantages attained thereby will bereadily understood by those skilled in the art.

Fig. 1 represents a rear side elevation of a sewing machine in which thepresent invention is incorporated. f

Fig. 2 represents a top plan view ofthe present machine.

Fig. 3 represents a left end elevation of the sewing machine'showing thestitching and feed` `ing mechanisms with the bed and work-supportingplate in section, and with the needlein its uppermost position.

Fig. 4 represents a left side elevation of the stitching and feedingmechanisms as removed from the sewing machine frame and with the needlein its lowermost position.

Fig. 5 represents a sectional view of the upper feeding and stitchingmechanism,'taken substantially along line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 representsa sectional view of a portion of the feed-bar actuatingmechanism, taken substantially along line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 'l represents a sectional View showing a presser-bar lifting meansand taken substantially along line 1 1 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 represents a sectional View showing a portion of the presser-barwith its associated elements and taken substantiallyv alongline 8--8 ofFig. 5.

Fig. 9 represents a front elevation of the springs shown in Fig. 1.`

. Fig. .10 represen-ts a sectional view showing the 2 presser-liftingmechanism in its normal position and taken substantially along lineIll-IU of Fig. 2.

Fig. 11 is an illustration in side elevation'of the lpresser-liftingmechanism at that point in its cycle at which the presser springs arefully untensioned.

Fig. 12 is anillustration of the presser-lifting mechanism at that pointin the cycle at which the presser-bar and top feed-bar are fully raisedoff the work.

Referring to the drawings, the invention is embodied in a sewing machinehaving a frame comprising a bed I6 from one end of which rises astandard il of anoverhanging bracket-arm AI8 terminating in a head i9. Journaled for rotation within this frame is a mainor arm-shaft 2l)ycarrying at its outer end the usual belt-driven balance-wheel A2| and atits innerend a counterbalanced needle-bar actuating'crank 22. The` shaft20 is connected by a vclip-belt 23, herein shown incompletely, to abelt-pulley 24 fast upon the outer end of a lower mainor bed-shaft 25journaled for rotation in the bed I6, the ratiol between the shafts 20and 25 being one-to-one.

Actuated by the bed-shaft 25 is the usual lower four-motion work-feedingmechanism, including a feed-dog 26, and the looper mechanism including achain-stitch-looper 2l. For thesake of brevity, a detailed descriptionof the four-motion.

feeding mechanism will not be given herein,l inasmuch as the same isfully described and claimed in my U. S. Patent No. 2,292,258, August 4,1942.

With regard to the looper mechanism disclosedin the drawings, it willsufceto say that the looper 2l is preferably of the two motion. typehaving loop-seizing and -shedding movements only in the line of feed,the looper advancing to seize the needle-loop in a direction opposed tothe direction of feed. y

Referring now to the mechanism within the machine-head I9, it will beseen in Figs., 1, 3 and 4 that a needle-bar actuating link 28 ispivotally mounted upon the crank 22 by means of a screw 29. The lowerend of the link 28 is apertured to receive a pin 30 integral with asplit collar 3l clamped upon the usual needle-,bar 32. Carried by thelower end of the needle-bar 32 is a suitable needle 33. Through themechanism justl de.-y

` scribed the needle-bar 32 is reciprocated endwise in proper timedrelation with the complemental looper 2l to produce chain-stitches.

The needle-bar 32 is journaled in bearing members 34 and 35 projectingfrom the needle-bar frame 36 which is provided with a horizontallyprojecting fulcrum-rod 31 journaled within the lug 38 of the machinehead I 8.

The needle-bar frame 56, in the machine illustrated, is oscillated intimed relation with th'e four-motion feed-dog 26 through mechanismcomprising a rock-lever 35 (see Fig. 1) preferably clamped at its lowerend 48 upon the end portion of the fulcrum-rod 31. At its upper end, the

rock-lever 35 is pivotally connected, by means of a bolt 4| and nut 42,to one end of e, relatively short pitman 43 formed at its other end witha strap 44 embracing an adjustable eccentric 45 secured to rotate withthe arm-shaft 28. It will be understood that as the arm-shaft 28 isrotated, the eccentric 45 actuates th'e pitman 43 which in turn operatesthe rock-lever 38 to oscillate the needle-bar frame 36 about the axis ofthe fulcrum-rod 31. The amplitude of oscillatory movement imparted tothe needle-bar frame is dependent upon the amount of eccentricity of theeccentric 45 and, in order to vary the amplitude of oscillatorymovements of the needle-bar frame to harmonize with the stitch-length towhich the lower feeding mechanism is set, the eccentric is madeadjustable. A complete description of this type of adjustable eccentricmay be found in the U. S. patent of W. Myers, No. 2,128,031, August 23,1938. For a more detailed description of the present type of needle-barmechanism, reference may be had to my U. S. Patent No. 2,329,681,September 14, 1943.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, the needle-bar frame 36 has avertically apertured bearing lug 46 formed thereon rearwardly of thebearing portion 35. Slidably mounted within this bearing lug 46 is a topfeed-bar 41 carrying at its lower end a feeding foot 48 which is adaptedto cooperate with the needle 33 and the lower feeddog 26 in the feedingof the work over the bedplate 49. Since the feed-bar 41 is carried bythe needle-bar frame 36, the latter element will impart the sameamplitude of vibrating motion in the line of feed to both the needle-bar32 and the top feed-bar 41.

The upper end of the top feed-bar 41 is provided with a cross-pin 58which is slidingly disposed within the forked free end of asubstantially horizontally disposed feed-lift lever or arm 52. Theconfined end of the lever 52 is pivotally mounted upon a fulcrum-pin 53which is secured within the lower rear portion of the machine head I8.

In order to prevent the feed-bar 41 from turning about its longitudinalaxis, th'e top portion thereof is provided with a pair of cheeks 54which carry the cross-pin 58 and which embrace the forked portion 5I yofthe bar 52.

Pvotally carried by and at the center of percussion of the feed-liftlever 52 is a pivot-pin 55 of a bell-crank lever having arms 56 and 51of which the arm 56 is pivotally connected by a pin 58 to the lower endof a link 55. The upper end portion of the link 59 is connected by meansof a pin 68 to an actuating crank 6| carried by one end of a rock-shaft62 which is journaled in bearing lugs 63 and 64 provided on the machinebracket-arm I8 and head I5, respectively. The rock-shaft 62 is disposedin parallelism with the needle-bar actuating shaft 28.

Secured upon the opposite end portion of the rock-shaft 62, by means ofscrews 65, is a short crank 66 carrying a pin 61 which is pivotallyembraced by the forked end or .a pitman 68 whose other end terminates inan eccentric strap 65.

The strap 68 embraces an adjustable eccentric 18 secured to rotate withthe arm-shaft 28. It will be understood that as the arm-shaft 28 isrotated, the eccentric 16 actuates the pitman 68 which', in turn,imparts rocking movements to the rock-shaft 62 through the medium of thecrank 66. The amplitude of these movements may be varied by adjustingthe throw of the adjustable eccentric 18. For a more detaileddescription of an adjustable eccentric of this type, reference may behad to the U. S. patent of A. I-I. DeVoe, No. 14,218, reissued November28, 1916.

Pressing downwardly upon the feed-lift lever 52, at a point between thebell-crank pivot point and the forked end 5| thereof, is one end of aspring-biased blade-lever 1| which is located outside of and rearwardlyadjacent to the machine bracket-arm I8. The other end of this lever 1|is biased upwardly by means of a coil spring 12 which is operativelyconnected to an arm 13 pivotally mounted upon the bracket-arm I8. Thelower end of the spring 12 is pivotally connected to the lever 1| bymeans of a bolt 14 and a nut 15. As illustrated more -particularly inFigs. 5, '7 and 10, the lever 1| is fulcrumed adjacent to the feed-liftcrank 52 upon a knife-edge 16 of a fulcrum-piece 11 extending from astub-shaft 18 which is rockably mounted within an aperture 19 formed inthe lower portion -Of the machine head I5. In order to prevent thespring-biased lever 1| from exerting any side thrust upon the feed-liftlever 52, a steel ball 88 is held, by means of a sheet metal cage 8|,between said lever 1| and crank 52. The cage is secured to the crank 52by means of screws 83.

Referring particularly to Figs. 5 and '1, the lever 1| is apertured soas to afford clearance for a guide-pin 84 projecting upwardly from theshelf portion 85 of the head I8 and extending through the forked end ofa guide-arm 88 which is clamped by means of a screw 81 to the upperreduced portion of a presser-bar 88 which will be described hereinbelow.The pin 84 thus prevents the lever 1| from moving sidewise.

The oscillatory motion of the above noted rockshaft 62 causes thebell-crank lever 56, 51, to swing in a vertical plane about itspivot-pin 55 in the feed-lift lever 52, so that the arm 51 thereofsuccessively tends to raise and lower. Referring to Fig. '7, the arm 51,on its downstroke, engages the shelf 85, and further movement of thebell-crank lever can only result in raising the pivot point thereof,which latter action will, of course, raise the forked end 5| of thefeed-lift lever 52 with the consequence that the top feeding-foot 48 islifted clear of the throat-plate 49', as is illustrated in Fig. 3. Whenthe arm 56 moves downwardly, thus to throw the arm 51 upwardlyrelatively thereto, the spring-biased lever 1|' forces the member 52downwardly and the foot 48 is forced against the work and the arm 51lifts off the shelf 85. Continuous oscillation of the rock-shaft 62will, therefore, cause the top feedbar 41 alternately to rise and fallunder the continual pressure of the spring-biased lever 1 I. The motionsof the rock-shaft 62 are synchronized with those of the needle-bar 32 sothat the usual compound feeding mechanism will be effected.

Adjustment of the rock-shaft actuating eocentric 18 will effectadjustment in the amplitude of the vertical movements imparted to thetop feed-bar.

The machine head I9 is provided with a vertically disposed stationarybearing member 89 in which the above mentioned presser-bar 88 isslidingly mounted so as to be located slightly rearwardly of the topfeed-bar 41 and out of the line of feed at that side of the line of feednearest to the machine bracket-arm |8. A usual type of presser-foot 90is carried by the lower end of this presser-bar 88. Formed in the upperportion and between the ends of the presser-bar 88 is a slot 9|, adaptedto receive the free end of a secondary spring-biased blade-lever 92which presses downwardly against the presser-bar. This lever 92 islocated substantially beneath the primary lever 1| and the 'other endthereof is biased upwardly by means of a secondary coil spring 93 whichis operatively connected to a bracket 94 carried by the bracket-arm I8.The lower end of the spring 93 is pivotally connected to the lever 92 bymeans of an eye 95. As illustrated more particularly in Figs-5, '1 and10, the lever 92 is fulcrumed adjacent to the lever 1| upon theknife-edge 16.

By means of the secondary coil spring 93, the presser-foot 90 isconstantly urged downwardly against the work and thus cooperates with'the above described feeding mechanism in the feeding of the work.

As hereinabove noted, one end of the lever 1| is pivotally secured tothe coil spring 12 by means of the bolt 14. Referring more specificallyto Figs. 1, 2 and 10, the lower end of the spring 12 is secured to thelower cup-shaped member 96 which is telescopically i'ltted within theupper and reversely directed cup-shaped member 91 whose upper portionhas a. threaded rod 98 projecting upwardly therefrom. Clamped upon therod 98 is a split collar 99 (see Fig. 2) having a threaded bolt portionextending laterally therefrom. Pivotally embracing the bolt |00 is thearm 13 held upon the bolt by means of nuts |0l. The upper end of thespring is suitably secured to the member 91, thus to bias the lever 1|upwardly. The two cup-shaped members 96 and 91'form a substantiallyairtight unit whose purpose is to dampen the violent spring vibrationswhich would otherwise occur when the spring 12 passes through itscritical phases.

The applied pressure of the spring 12 may be varied by shifting the rod98 relative to the clamp collar 99, when loosened by means of a stop-nut|02 which is carried by the threaded upper portion of the rod 98. Aclamp screw |03 is used for tightening the collar 99 about the rod 98 inthe set position of the collar. Pivotally carried by the bolt |00 is thebracket 94 having an inverted U-shaped portion comprising the apertureddownturned side pieces |'04 and |05 which embrace the apertured endportion of the arm 13. The nuts |0I and a washer |06 retain the bracket94 in place on the arm 13. y

The short horizontally disposed portion of the bracket 94 has mountedthereon, by means of nuts |01, a rod |08 the lower end of which hassecured thereto the secondary coil spring 93. The lower portion of thisspring is formed as a hook |09 which is connected to the rear end of thelever 92 by means of the eye 95. The depending portion or limb of thebracket 94 has pivotally connected to its lower end, by means of a rivetI I0, a steadylink III which has its other end pivotally connected tothe rear end of lever 92 by means of a rivet 2.

Referring particularly to Figs. 2 and 10', the fulcrum line 16 of thespring-biased levers 1| and 92 isso located that-the levers are eachofthe rst class; the portion of each lever extending forwardly of thefulcrum line 16 being very much shorter in length than that portionwhichv extends `from each. of the respective lever pivot points"at14 and||2 to thefulcrum line at 16. By means of these leversior multiplyingmeans 1| and 92, the amplitude of vertical movements of both thefeed-bar41 and the presser-bar 88, is, in leach instance, multiplied by at leastfive times, thus to impart to each bar a force live times greater thanthe respective coil springs would impart thereto if they were actingdirectly upon a respective lever. Thus, a relatively light spring isadequate in each case for supplying the proper pressure to thepresser-foot and feed-foot. Tests have proven that byusing such amultiplier, superior results have been attained as compared to theresults attained when using the same top feeding and presser elementsbut with springs each having about ve times the stiffness of therespective springs 12 and 93 and applied to bear directly upon the lever52 and the bar 88. Apparently there is much advantage to be gained byusing a light weight spring coupled with a "multiplier` as compared tousing a heavier weight spring which -is applied directly upon the lever5'2 or upon the bar 88. These tests have shown that the use ofthe=present multiplier mechanisms completely obviates the tendency ofthe feet 40 and to flutter when the machine is operating at a high rateof speed. It is an advantage to use a spring having a high naturalfrequency for this purpose. l

For a more complete explanation of this multiplier action, reference maybe had to my U. S.v Patent No. 2,428,762, granted October '1, 1947, andentitled Sewing machine.

The present machine is also provided with manually operable presserandtop feed-bar lifting means designed to keep at a minimum the liftingforce required. Broadly, these means comprise elements adapted, undertreadle-controlled action, to remove completely the tension of each coilspringfromthe respective levers and to swing the knife-edge fulcrummember 11 away from the levers 1| and 92 to permit the presserandfeed-bars freely to be raised off the work.

In general, the present lifting mechanism comprises a self-containedframe-work I3 carried by the machine bracket-arm I1. Within thisframe-work ||3 are mounted two sets of Geneva stopsy ||4 and ||5 gearedtogether in order to provi-de a series of successive motions allproduced by a single downward movement of the usual foot-actuatedtreadle `whichis connected to the Geneva stops by means of a chain ||6and a pivoted arm ||1, which latter carries a segmentgear ||8.--Responsive to an initial movement oi the treadle-chainv H6, through theconnecting means of the segment-gear H8 and a pinion H9 engaged thereby,the primary Geneva stop lifi raises anarm |20 which actuates atoggle-joint comprising arms |2| and |22 pivotally connected as at |23.vArms |2| are pivotally carried by the frame-work H3 as atl |24, and theother arms |22 of the toggle-jointare pivotally connected as at |25 toan arm- I26 which in turn is carried pivotally-by the frame-work as at|21. The hereinabove noted arm 13 is integral with arm |26 and therewithforms a bell-crank lever which, under the action of the toggle-joint,swings about its pivot |21- for the purpose of moving the coilsprings-12 and 93 into untensioned positions.

At this point in the cycle, the spring pressures are entirely removedfrom the presser-bar and topfeed-baras may be seen from Fig. 11. Furtherdownward movement of the treadle chain afieaaer y le willv not move thebeu-,crane me, 113 and the coil springs 12" and `93; due to the:inherent; lostmotion actiony of the Geneva stop H4; butI the secondGeneva stop thenA becomes effective to actuate segment gear |528.; whichin turnimparts a forward linear motion toV a horizontally disposedrack-bar |129 slidably mounted within the frame-work ||3 and within abearing aperture formed in thev head' |9`.

The forward' end portion of this rack |29 engages gear teeth |31provided on the end portion of the above noted stub-shaft 18 whichcarries the knife-edge 'I6 and, therefore, the linear-movement impartedto the rackv is eifective to rotate the stub-shaft, thereby to removethe fulcrum point from the spring-biased levers H and 92v for thepurpose of providing proper clearance between each of the levers 1| and92 and the fulcrum so the presser-bar and top feed-bar may be raisedfreely.

Threaded into the fulcrum-piece Tl' of the stub-shaft 18, at a pointeccentric. to the axis of rotation thereof, is a screw |32 ('see' Fig.7) of which an exposed shoulder portion |33 enters a slot i3d providedadjacent one end portion ofv a sheet metal armV |35, the other endl ofwhich arm is secured :pivotally to the under body of the machinebracket-arm |8 by means of a screw |36. The free end of the arm |35,adjacent the slotted portion thereof is bent to form a lip |31 andunderlies the guide-arm 86 carried bythe presserbar 88. The turningmotion of the stub-shaft,

therefore, throws the screw |32 in an arcuatepath, thereby raising thefree end portion of the sheet metal arm |35 which in turn lifts thepresser-bar 88. This upward movement of the presser-bar lifts the topfeed-bar 4T through the medium of ringer piece |38l carried' by theguide-arm @t and underlying, atA its lower end, the feed-lift lever 52.A screw |39 secures the finger piece l 38 within an aperture 40 providedin the guidearm 86. Fig'. 12 illustrates this nal step in the cycle.

Upon releasing the manually applied force exerted on the treadle-chainH6, the above described mechanism will return to its normal positionunder the force of a pair of tension springs Ml which are effective toretension the coil springs 'l2 and 93, as the springs |4|v operatethrough the medium of the toggle joint, |2|, |22.

For a more complete description of the present type of Geneva stopdevice, reference may be had to my U. S'. Patent No. 2,430,440, grantedNovember 4, 1947, and entitled Presser-bar mechanism for sewingmachines.

From the above description it is to be understood that the levers and 92each functions to impose upon the respective springs 12 and 93 a rangeof movement materially greater than that of either the feed-bar 4"'1 orpresser-bar 88 respectively. From this it will be understood that forevery upward movement made by either the feedor presser-bar, there isapplied respectively thereto a quantum of spring-applied force which isgreatly in excess of that which would be applied thereto if the springs'l2 and 93 were each connected directly to the respective bars 41 and88. Thus it is possible to use a pair of rel'ativelylightweight springsand still have available the requisite amount of spring pressure forefficiently biasing the work-engaging elements toward the work;

Furthermore, the present device, although tted with means for applyingheavy spring forces upon the feedand presser-bar, is also equipped withmeans whereby the: springs may be 8. relaxed preparatory to lifting saidbars simultaneously. Y

Having thus set forth the nature of; the invention, what I claim hereinis:

I. In a sewing machine, a frame includingl a bracket-arm, a feed-liftarm pivotally carried, upon said bracket-arm, a four-motion upperYfeed-foot, means to connect said foot to said arm, a lever pivotallymounted upon said feed-lift arm, means to impart a vibratory motion tosaid lever, means reacting upon said bracket-arm to arrest the motion ofsaid lever in. one direction thereby to imparta feed-lift motion to saidfoot, and* means for imparting feed-advance and -return motions to saidfoot.

2. In a sewing machine, a frame including a bracket-arm, a feed-lift armpivotally carried uponfsaid bracket-arm, a four-motion upper feedfootfor advancing Work through said machine, means to connect said foot withsaid arm, spring means for biasing said foot toward the work, a leverpivotally mounted upon said feed-lift arm, means to impart a vibratorymotion to said lever, means reacting upon said bracket-arm to arrest themotion of said lever in one direction thereby to impart a feed-liftAmotion to said footi inv opposition to said spring means, and means forimparting feed-advance and -return motions to said foot.

3. In a sewing machine, a frame includinga bracket-arm, a feed-lift armpivotally carried upon said bracket-arm, a four-motion upper feed-footfor advancing work through said machine, means to connect said foot withsaid arm, a presser-foot slidably mounted' within said bracket-arm, apair of springs, each spring being adapted for pressing one of said feettoward the work, a lever pivotally mounted upon said feedlift arm, meansto impart a vibratory motion to said lever, means reacting upon saidbracket-arm to arrest the motion of said lever in onedirection therebyto'impart a feed-lift motion to said feedfoot in opposition to one ofsaid springs, means for imparting feed-advance and return motions tosaid feed-foot, and a single manually operable means for lifting work.`

4. In a sewing machine, a frame including a bracket-arm, a yokepivotally carried by said frame, a needle-bar slidably mounted Withinsaid yoke, a bearing member carried rigidly with said yoke, afour-motion feed-bar slidably mounted within said vbearing member, meansfor rocking said yoke, a feed-lift arm pivotally carried upon saidvbracket-arm, means to connect said feed-bar with said arm, spring meansfor biasing said foot toward the work, a lever pivotally mounted uponsaid feed-lift arm, means to impart a vibra-tory motion to said lever,and means reacting upon said bracket-arm to arrest the motion of saidlever in one direction thereby to impart a feedlift motion to saidfeed-bar in opposition to said spring means.

5. In a sewing machine, a frame including a bracket-arm, a feed-lift armpivotally carried upon said bracket-arm, a four motion upper feedfootfor advancing work through said machine, means to connect said foot withsaid arm, a spring for pressing said feed-foot toward ysaid work, meanscomprising a lever of the first order interposed between said spring andsaid feedfoot for imposing upon saidspring a range of movementmaterially longer than that of said feed-foot, a lever pivotally mountedupon said feed-lift arm, actuating means for impartingv a both of saidfeet off the- `vibratory inotin to said latter lever, means' adapted toarrest the motion of said latter lever in one direction so thatcontinued operation of said actuating means in one direction will imparta feed-lift motion to said foot in opposition to lsaid spring, and meansfor imparting feed-advance and -return motions to said foot,

y 6. In a sewing machine, a frame including a bracket-arm, a feed-liftarm pivotally carried upon said bracket-arm, a four-motion upperfeedfoot for advancing work through said machine, means rto connect saidfoot with said arm, a lever having one end thereof operativelyassociated with said arm, a spring connected tothe other end of saidlever so as to force said foot against the work, a fulcrum membercooperatively associated with said lever and in engagement therewith ata point adjacent the arm for multiplying the applied force of saidspring and for applying the resultant upon said foot, a bellcrank leverpivotally mounted upon said feed-lift arm, means to impart a vibratorymotion to one limb of said bell-crank lever, means reacting upon saidbracket-arm to arrest the motion of the other limb of said bell-cranklever in one direction thereby to imparta feed-lift motion to said footin opposition to saidspring, and means for imparting feed-advance and-return motions to said foot.

'7. In a sewing machine, a frame including a bracket arm, a yokepivotally carried by said bracket-arm, a needle-bar slidably mountedwithin said yoke, a bearing member carried rigidly with said yoke, afour-motion feed-bar slidably mounted within said bearing member forfeeding work through said machine, means for rocking said yoke, afeed-lift arm pivotally carried at its one end upon said bracket-arm,means to connect said feed-bar with the other end of said arm, a springfor pressing said feed-bar toward the work, means comprising a lever ofthe first order interposed between said spring and said feed-bar forimposing upon said spring a range of movement materially longer thanthat of said feedbar, a bell-crank lever lpivotally mounted upon saidfeed-lift arm, means to imparta vibratory motion to one limb of saidbell-crank lever, and means reacting upon said bracket-arm to `arrestthe motion of the other limb of said bell-crank lever in one directionthereby to impart a feedlift motion to said feed-bar in opposition tosaid spring.

8. In a sewing machine, the combination of a plurality of work-engagingfeet, a plurality of springs, each spring being adapted for pressing arespective one yoi said feet toward the work, means interposed inoperative relation between each of said springs and its associated footthereby to impose upon each spring a range of movement materially longerthan that of its respective associated foot, and intermittentlyeffective lifting means for one of said feet, said lifting means beingadapted to lift said foot against the force of its associated spring.

9.V The combination in a sewing machine having a frame including awork-support, apresserfoot carrying bar, a feeding-foot carrying bar,vmeans forr endwise reciprocating and laterally jogging said feedingfoot carrying bar, a pair of springs, -each spring. being adapted forpressing a respective one of said carrying bars toward the work, meansinterposed between each of said springs and its associated carrying barfor multi- -plying the applied force of each spring' and applying theresultant upon' a respective oneof'said l0 carrying bars, and a singlemanually operable means for lifting both carrying bars away fromthework.

10. In a sewing machine, the combination of a plurality of work-engagingfeet, a plurality of springs, each spring being adapted for pressing arespective one of said feet upon the work, means comprising a lever ofthe first order` interposed between each of said springs and itsassociated foot for imposing upon each spring a range of movementmaterially longer than that of'its associated foot, and a singlemanually operable means for lifting all of said feet vawayfrom thework..

1:1.. In a sewing machine, the combination of a plurality ofwork-'engaging feet, a plurality of coil-springs, each coil-spring beingadapted for pressing a respective one of said feet upon the work, a;plurality of relatively stiff levers of the .rst order, each leverhaving one end thereof operatively connected to a respective one of saidfeet and the other end thereof operatively connected to a respective oneof said coil-springs, each lever being'adapted to impose upon itsassociated coil-spring a range of movement materially longer than` thatof its associated foot, intermittently effectivey lifting means for oneof 'said feet, said lifting means being adapted tolift its associatedfoot against the force of its associated coil-spring, and a singlemanually operable .means for lifting all of said feet away rfrom thework. 4 Y

12. The combination in a sewing machine having a frame'i'ncluding awork-supporta reciprocatory presser-foot carrying bar, a feeding-footcarrying bar mounted for endwise reciprocatory and laterally joggingwork-feeding movements, a pair of springs, each Yspring being adaptedfor biasing a respective Ione of said bars toward said Work-support,means comprisinga motion-multiplying member interposed between. each ofsaid springs and'its associated bar for imposing upon each spring arange of movement materially longer than that of its associated bar,intermittently effective lifting meansfor lifting said feedingfootcarrying bar Iaway from said work-support against the force of itsassociated spring, means for removing the force of each of said springsfrom its associated bar, and manuallyA operable means for shifting saidbars away from said ,work-support.

13. In a sewing machine, the combination of a plurality of work-engagingfeet, a plurality of springs, each spring being adapted for pressing ayrespective one of said feet upon the work, means comprising va lever ofthe rst order interposedbetween each of said springs and its associatedVfoot for imposing upon each spring a range of movement materiallylonger than that of its associated foot, manually operable means torelax said springs thereby to remove the force thereof from each ofsai-d feet, and means operable upon relaxing of said springs forshifting said feet -away from the work.

11 mittently operable lifting means for lifting said feeding-foot'carrying bar away from said worksupport against the force of itsassociated spring, fm'anually operable means to relax said springsthereby to remove the force thereof from each of said bars, and meansoperable upon relaxing "of said springs for shifting said bars awayAfrom y'said work-support.

i5. In a sewing machine, the combination of a plurality of work-engagingfeet, a plurality of springs, each spring being adapted for pressing arespective one'of said feet upon the Work, means Acomprising a lever ofthe first order interposed between each of said springs and itsassociated Vfoot for imposing upon each spring a range of movementmaterially longer than that of its associated ioot, and manuallyoperable means upon the movement of which the force of each of saidsprings is 'removed from each of said feet and upon the further movementof 'which lall of said feet are shifted away from said work.

'16. The combination in a sewing `machine having ia frame including awork-support, a recipro- 'catory presser-foot carrying bar, afeeding-foot carrying bar mounted for endwise reciprocatory andlaterally jogging work-feeding movements, a 'pair of springs, eachspring being ladapted for vbiasing `a respective one of said bars towardsaid Work-support, means comprising a motion-multiplying memberinterposed betwen each of said springs and its lassociatedb'ar yforimposing upon each spring a range of movement materially longer thanthat of its `associated ban-intermittently veffective lifting means forlifting said feed- `ing-foot `carrying bar away-from said work-supportagainst the force of its associated spring, a 'first means to remove theforce of each of said 'springs from itsassociated carrying b-a-rpreparatory to 'shifting `the same, and means `actuated by said iirstmeans for shifting each of said carrying Abars away from saidWork-support upon the removal of said spring forces lfrom said 'earryingbars.

l17. In a 'sewing machine having Va, Work-support,` 'the combination ofa plurality of work-en- -gaging "feet, a plurality of levers, each of'said 'levers having its'one end portionthereof in operative engagementwith `a "respective one of said work-engaging feet, fulcrum mean-s `inengagement with an intermediate portion of each lever, "aplurality ofsprings, each spring being in engagementwith the'other endportion of arespectiveone of said levers and beingeilective to bias thefootassociated therewith toward said worksupport,'means to remove the forceof raid springs from saidl feet, and means operable uponthe removal ofsaid spring forces from said feet for -ltermediate portion of eachleverfa pair of springs, VfeaCms'prin'g beingin engagement lwith -the'other 'endportion of a respective one of said levers and `beingleffective tobias the foot associate-diners- With toward saidwork-support, means "forremoving the forceoi eachoi Asaidsprings fromsaidwfeet preparatory toshifting' saidf feet, means -rformovingsaidfulcrum'means outof Yengage- `nin-nt `with said vlevers, andmeans vfor shifting `-said feetaway from said work-support *19.The'combi'nation in a sewing machine having a frame including awork-support, ta ,pair v"of workeengaging feet, a .pair of levers,vea'cli 'of said levers having its one end portion thereof in operativeengagement with a respective Aone 'of fsai'd feet, fulcrurn means i'nengagementwith an intermediate Vportion of each lever, 'a pairoisprings, each spring being in engagement with the other end portion of arespective one of said leversand being leiiective to bias the footassociated therewith toward said work-support, a'rst means for movingsaid fulcrum 'means 'out A'of engagement with said levers preparatory toshifting-said ffeet, and means actuated by said rst means for shifting'said feet away from said workssupport.

l20. The combination in a sewing machine 'having a frame including awork-support, 'a pair of work-engaging feet, a pair of springsjeachspring being adapted for pressing `a respective one of said feet towardsaid work-support and lhaving one end thereof secured to a singlenormally stationary member, means interposed in voperative relative-between each of said springs andits associated foot whereby eachspring-'is given a range of 'movement materially longer than that o'i''its respective associated -foot, means for shifting said normallystationary member 'therebyto #relax the force of each of said springs,and'meansiactuated by said last mentioned means `for-liftings'aid feetaway from said work-support. Y

21. The combination in-a sewing-'machine having a frame including aWork-support, `an 'upper Vfeed-foot, an upper lfeed-bar carryin'gsaidfeedfoot, a presser-foot, a presser-bar carrying said presser-foot, apair of coil-springs, 'one'of said coil-springs being adapted `tomaintain lsaid press er-foot continuously in engagement with 'theworl,"the other of said 'coil-springs beingfadapted Ito press saidfeed-foot toward the work, Lintermittently effective lifting means -for'lifting said feeding foot 01T the work 'againstthe f'orceo'f 'itsassociated coil-spring, a 'pair of 'relatively stiilz levers, each leverhaving one end thereofioperatively connected to'a respective oneoi` vvsaidbars and the other end thereof 'connected operatively to arespective one of said coil-springafand'fulvcrum 'means in engagementwith -e'ach 4l'everfso :that each lever will multiply theIapplied`iof'1-c'e of its associated Acoil-spring and 'apply the Y'reysultant upon its'asso'ciated bar.

22. The combination in a se'wingimaehinelhaving afra'me including awork-support'la'n:upper feed-foot, an upper feed-bar carrying saidffe'edfoot, a presser-foot, apresser-bar/carrying said 'presser-foot, apair of coil-springs,fa`singlem'ember for supportingboth of saidcoi1-springs,one

of said vcoil-springs being adapted tofrnaintain 'tively Vstiil levers,each lever havingpne end thereof operatively connected-to'falespectivelone of said bars land the other fendtliereo connectedoperatively to 'a respective "one of said "coilsprings, a single 'ffulc'rum means' infenga'gemerit with vboth of said'levers sothat'each'leverwili multiply the applied forcev of `its associated'coilspringand apply the resultantl upon' its associated bar, lmanuallyoperable y*means 4conn'ec'ted -with said single memberforfmovingtheffsametinfa `direction such as to relax saidsprins: andmeans opera'ble upon relaxing #sai-d springs for'vshifting 1 saidrfeetf'away-from said work=sl`lpport.

23. The combination in a sewing machine having a frame including awork-support, an upper feed-foot, an upper feed-bar carrying saidfeedfoot, a presser-foot, a presser-bar carrying said presser-foot, apair of coil-springs carried by said frame, one of said coil-springsbeing adapted to maintain said presser-foot continuously in engagementwith the Work, the other of said coilsprings being adapted to press saidfeed-foot toward the Work, intermittently effective lifting means forlifting said feeding-foot off the Work against the force of itsassociated coil-spring, a pair of relatively stii levers, each leverhaving one end thereof connected operatively to a respective one of saidbars and the other end thereof connected operatively to a respective oneof said coil-springs, fulcrum means in engagement With both of saidlevers so that each lever Will multiply the applied force of itsassociated coilspring and apply the resultant upon its associated bar,manually operable means to relax each of said coil-springs preparatoryto shifting said feet, means for moving said fulcrum means out ofengagement with said levers, and means for shifting said feet away fromsaid Worksupport.

FREDERECK F. ZEIER.

